Layna's Broken Arm :(

On Friday, September 3rd, 2010 Layna broke her humerus bone and dislocated her elbow.  She was outside in the backyard during cartwheels and running when she fell and landed on her elbow.  Jeromy took her to KU Medwest Urgent care at about 7:00 p.m.  I stayed at home with Lily and Lucy as to keep them on their routine.  Sure enough the x-rays came back and she had broken her arm.  The doctor was concerned because part of the break was right above her elbow so he sent Jeromy and Layna to Children's Mercy downtown.  There they took further x-rays and the Orthopedic surgeon on-call said she was going to need surgery to put pins in her elbow so it would heal properly and she would be able to fully extend her arm.  Jeromy called me at 12:30 a.m. and said they were waiting to be admitted into the hospital and waiting on a room.  He said that Layna was doing extremely well under the circumstances and was not in a lot of pain (they gave her pain medicine).  Layna said, "Dad this is the best night ever because I get to stay up all night."  Needless to say none of us got any sleep that night and Jeromy was still in his sweaty grass cutting clothes and stained green shoes.  Judy came out to our house at 6:30 am to stay with Lily and Lucy so I get to the hospital before Layna's surgery.  My parents came with me and we arrived at Children's Mercy around 8:00 am.  When I saw Layna laying in the hospital bed with a temporary cast on I wanted to sob.  But I didn't, for her sake.  She looked so little and she was uncomfortable and hungry but couldn't eat because she was scheduled to have the surgery mid-morning.  Before they wheeled her off to surgery they told us to give hugs and kisses.  Layna said, "I want you and daddy to come with me."  That just broke my heart.  The hardest thing was to hold back my tears (but I did).  She was so brave and just said, "ok".  She had the surgery at 9:30 and did great.  She had 2 pins put in.  Her surgeon was Dr. Paccica and was fabulous.  Everybody at Children's Mercy was kind, caring, and compassionate.  They explained everything to us, talked very nice with Layna and never rushed us.  If you have to take your child to a hospital, take them to Children's Mercy!  Layna was completely out of it (or so we thought) when the nurse asked me, "What would Layna like to drink when she wakes up"?  Just before I could answer, Layna opened her eyes and said, "lemonade" and then closed her eyes and went back to sleep.  That's my girl!  She did well the rest of the day and had pancakes and a blueberry muffin for lunch.  We left the hospital around 4 that afternoon.  She got a bright pink cast with purple hearts.  We took her out for ice cream on the way home because Jeromy promised her the day before that when this was all over he was taking her out for ice cream and she was holding him to that promise.  Layna, I am so sorry that this happened to you.  I am very proud of you.  You never cease to amaze me.  Here's to wishing you a speedy recovery!